Your feet should be the same color as the other skin on your body, but sometimes they adopt a different hue. So why are your feet a different color, and what could that mean for your health. Today, we take a look at some of the different shades of color you may have noticed on your feet, and we explain whether they should be a cause for concern.
My Feet Are A Different Color
Before we dive into some explanations, we want to preface the next part by saying that the following potential medical conditions should not be used to perform a self-diagnosis. If you are concerned about the color of your feet, contact a foot specialist sooner rather than later. This may be a helpful guide, but it should not be substituted in place for actual in-person medical advice.
Red Feet – Feet can be red for a number of different reasons. Our feet can turn a reddish hue after micro-trauma like running or major trauma like a crush injury or surgery. If you just finished a workout, the movement of blood to your extremities could be causing the coloration, but if they look red without physical activity, it could be a sign that they aren’t actually getting enough blood flow. It can be an early indicator or peripheral neuropathy and diabetes. If your feet and red and swollen, it may also signal an infection.
Yellow Feet – If your feet have a yellowish tint, it could be because you have been eating a lot of beta carotene rich foods, like carrots, sweet potatoes and spinach. However, it could also be caused by jaundice, which is a sign of an improperly functioning liver that should be addressed as soon as possible. If the nail bed is yellow, you may be dealing with a toenail fungus.
Blue or Purple Feet – Blue or purple feet tend to occur if you severely sprain or fracture your ankle. When this occurs, your foot goes through the normal bruising process, only it tends to be rather prominent as the blood pools in your feet. Some bruising and discoloration is normal with trauma, but you should have the foot examined by a specialist to determine if any fractures or ligament damage has occurred. If no acute trauma has occurred, it is a sign of poor circulation, and you should visit a doctor.
Green Feet – Feet should never turn green, so if your foot has a green hue, visit a specialist. However, some people have reported noticing a green tint in their nail bed. This could potentially be a side effect of gout, but more likely it’s a sign of infection or fungus. Unless the green is from toenail polish, visit a specialist right away.